CSU's Super Sunday puts President Haynes in Pulpits of Regional Churches

CSU's Super Sunday puts President Haynes in Pulpits of Regional ChurchesThroughout February, California State University officials will reach out to more than 100,000 families in 100 African American churches statewide to encourage students to prepare early for college.CSUSM President Karen Haynes and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Emily Cutrer will join CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed, trustees, fellow campus presidents and other higher education representatives as they call on parents and students to begin planning for college admission as early as middle school and to enroll in challenging classes that prepare them for college."As community leaders, I believe it's our role to work together to motivate and prepare our young people for college," said Haynes. "All it takes to kindle hope in a student is one glimpse of opportunity."CSU officials will bring their message to 100 congregations in almost 40 California cities to engage the community in helping students get on track and succeed in college.On Feb. 14, Haynes spoke to the congregants of Mountain View Community Church in Temecula during two services."As parents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and neighbors of young students, it is our responsibility to be unified in action, supporting and encouraging our youth to not only dream of going to college but to take the necessary action steps to prepare themselves," said Haynes. "I know from personal experience as well as from the students I meet every day, a college education is life changing."Haynes will also speak to the congregants of St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 1524 Lemon Street, Oceanside, on Feb. 28 at 10:45 a.m.  Cutrer will speak on Feb 28 at the Second Missionary Baptist Church, 5301 Mare Road, Oceanside, at 11 a.m.Following Super Sunday services, CSU outreach staff and church education counselors will provide information about college admissions and financial aid. Students and their families will receive information about CSUMentor, the Web site that prospective students use to find information and apply to a CSU campus. Participants will also receive the "How to Get to College" poster, which provides middle and high school students and their parents with step-by-step information on planning for college.The complete list of churches and schedule of events is available online at the CSU 2010 Super Sunday Web site and includes locations in Northern California, Southern California and Fresno. For the first time, this list includes congregations in Corona, Temecula, Oxnard, Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, Fresno and the San Fernando Valley.About Super SundaySuper Sunday is a CSU program to connect with and inform African American students and their families about what it takes to get into college.On three consecutive Sundays each February, CSU leaders. including the chancellor, trustees, presidents and others. speak at various churches across the state to share with students, parents and community mentors information about preparing for college, applying to the CSU's 23 campuses, and obtaining financial aid.The event is part of the CSU African American initiative which started in 2005 when Chancellor Charles B. Reed and Bishop Charles E. Blake convened community, civic, business and education leaders together to develop new ways to educate K-12 students, parents and families about the value of a college degree to ensure a stable future.A central theme of Super Sunday messages is a call to begin planning for college admission as early as middle school and to enroll in challenging classes that prepare students for college.In addition to Super Sunday, the CSU African American Initiative includes a yearlong schedule of events, including Summer Algebra Institutes; Train the Trainer workshops, and Super Saturday education fairs.For more information, visit the CSU Super Sunday Web site.